Tag: education

Wisdom from the Word Day 12

January 12th, 2026

Proverbs 12: Loving Truth Enough to Be Corrected

Proverbs 12 is another chapter that’s easy to read and quietly agree with. We nod along because the wisdom feels familiar. None of it sounds outrageous. And that’s exactly where the danger is.

This chapter isn’t asking if we like wisdom.

It’s asking if we are teachable.

Right out of the gate, Proverbs 12 draws a sharp line:

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but he who hates reproof is stupid.” (v.1)

That word is blunt on purpose. Scripture isn’t trying to insult us—it’s trying to wake us up. To reject correction isn’t just a personality trait or a preference; it’s a refusal to grow. And as a mother—and someone who doesn’t love correction at first either, because no one enjoys realizing they’re wrong—I recognize that resistance well. Correction rarely feels good in the moment, but when it’s given rightly, it is always rooted in love.

Proverbs 12 keeps circling back to the mouth.

Words matter here. A lot.

We’re told the righteous speak life, but the wicked use words like weapons. That should make us pause—not because we speak intentionally cruel words, but because careless words count too. Tone counts. Timing counts. Silence counts. Wisdom isn’t just about saying the right thing—it’s about knowing when and how to speak it.

Another theme woven through this chapter is diligence versus ease.

Proverbs 12 doesn’t glamorize laziness or excuse half-hearted effort. It tells us plainly that the faithful, steady worker—often unnoticed—is the one who stands firm. There is dignity in consistency. There is honor in doing the small, ordinary things well, even when no one is clapping.

And then there’s honesty.

Truthfulness isn’t presented as a moral badge we wear once and move on. It’s a daily choice. Lies don’t have to be dramatic to be destructive. Exaggeration, avoidance, and half-truths all erode trust over time. Proverbs 12 reminds us that God delights in truth because truth reflects His character.

This chapter gently—but firmly—teaches us that wisdom is not proven by agreement. It’s proven by submission. By receiving correction. By guarding our words. By working faithfully. By choosing truth even when it costs us something.

So today, Proverbs 12 invites us to ask ourselves a simple but uncomfortable question:

Am I teachable… or just agreeable?

Because one leads to life.

And the other only feels like it does.
Wisdom From the Word Day 11

January 11th, 2026

Proverbs 11: Slowing Down Long Enough to Walk It

Proverbs 11 comes with a warning of sorts—a steady contrast between the righteous and the wicked.

It’s easy to read straight through a chapter like this and think, yes, of course… this all makes sense. The danger isn’t misunderstanding what’s being said; the danger is assuming agreement equals obedience. These verses aren’t difficult to grasp, but they are difficult to live.

Proverbs 11 forces us to slow down because it doesn’t simply describe two types of people—it lays out two paths. And the question isn’t which one we prefer, but which one our everyday decisions actually reflect.

Scripture begins by grounding righteousness in something surprisingly ordinary:

“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,

but a just weight is His delight.” (v.1)

God starts with integrity in the small things. Not dramatic sins. Not public failures. But honesty when no one is watching. This tells us that righteousness is not built in moments of crisis—it’s built in consistency. The path of righteousness is marked by faithfulness in details we’re tempted to excuse or overlook.

That contrast sharpens when Proverbs turns its attention to posture:

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with the humble is wisdom.” (v.2)

Pride doesn’t always look like arrogance. Often it looks like certainty, self-reliance, or refusing correction. Humility, on the other hand, keeps us positioned to receive wisdom. This isn’t about thinking less of ourselves; it’s about thinking less of ourselves as the authority. Proverbs reminds us that wisdom requires submission—first to God, and then to truth.

The chapter presses further, revealing what actually guides a person’s life:

“The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (v.3)

Integrity is not passive. It actively leads. It shapes decisions before temptation ever arrives. The wicked are not undone in a single moment; they are slowly destroyed by what they choose to excuse. Proverbs makes it clear that character doesn’t just influence outcomes—it determines direction.

And then, as if to strip away every false sense of security, we’re reminded:

“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

but righteousness delivers from death.” (v.4)

This is the heart of the contrast. There are things that appear powerful, protective, and sufficient—until they aren’t. Proverbs confronts us with the truth that only righteousness stands when everything else fails. Not status. Not preparation. Not self-made security. Only right standing before the Lord endures.

Proverbs 11 doesn’t allow us to remain casual readers. It exposes the quiet places where belief and behavior drift apart. It calls us not just to recognize the path of righteousness, but to choose it—again and again—through ordinary obedience, humility, and trust in the Lord rather than ourselves.
Wisdom from the Word Day 10

January 10th, 2026

Proverbs 10: Learning to Slow Down for Wisdom

When we arrive at Proverbs 10, something changes.

Up to this point, Proverbs has taken its time. We’ve listened to a father instruct his son through extended teaching (Proverbs 1–7). We’ve also heard Wisdom herself speak—calling out in the streets, warning the foolish, and inviting the teachable to life (Proverbs 1:20–23; 8:1–36; 9:1–6).

Those chapters lay the foundation.

Then we come to Proverbs 10:1:

“The proverbs of Solomon.”

This is not accidental or repetitive. It marks a shift in form, not authorship. Solomon has been present all along (Proverbs 1:1), but here we move into what are often called the Solomonic proverbs proper—short, compact sayings meant to be remembered, revisited, and lived out.

These are the words of the same Solomon who, when God promised to give him whatever he asked, requested wisdom rather than riches or power (1 Kings 3:9–12). What follows is not theoretical theology, but wisdom that has been prayed for, received from God, and tested in real life.

The danger with Proverbs 10 is that it looks easy to read quickly.

But wisdom is not gained by skimming.

The Tongue as a Measure of the Heart

One of the most dominant themes in Proverbs 10 is speech—what comes out of the mouth and what it reveals about the heart.

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” (Proverbs 10:11)

A fountain gives life continuously. It refreshes. It nourishes. Solomon is teaching us that righteous speech doesn’t merely avoid harm—it actively brings good.

In contrast, the wicked mouth may sound smooth or controlled, but underneath it conceals violence. Not always physical violence, but relational damage, manipulation, pride, or contempt.

Jesus later affirms this same truth plainly:

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34)

Proverbs invites us first into self-examination, not judgment. Before asking whether others speak wisely, wisdom asks whether we do.

When Fewer Words Are Actually Wiser

Solomon presses this lesson further:

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking,

but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” (Proverbs 10:19)

This verse is not condemning conversation, teaching, or encouragement. Scripture itself is full of words. What Solomon warns against is unchecked speech—talking without thought, restraint, or humility.

The wise person understands that words have weight.

Sometimes wisdom speaks.

Sometimes wisdom listens.

Sometimes wisdom holds silence because restraint protects both the speaker and the hearer.

This is deeply countercultural—and deeply Christian.

Wisdom Uses Ordinary Life to Teach Us

One of Solomon’s most relatable images appears in this chapter:

“Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

so is the sluggard to those who send him.” (Proverbs 10:26)

We don’t need an explanation for this metaphor.

Vinegar hurts the teeth.

Smoke stings the eyes and clouds vision.

Both are irritating and disruptive.

Solomon is saying that unreliability doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It affects employers, families, communities, and relationships. Laziness is not merely a personal flaw—it becomes a burden to others.

Wisdom gently presses us to ask a hard but necessary question:

What is it like to depend on me?

Why Proverbs 10 Requires Us to Slow Down

Proverbs 10 is made up of short sayings, but they are not shallow. Each verse presents a contrast—righteous and wicked, wise and foolish, diligent and lazy—and asks us to consider which path we are actually walking.

Wisdom is not gained by collecting verses.

It is gained by pausing, pondering, and applying them.

This chapter teaches us that righteousness shows up in ordinary places:

in our speech in our work in our reliability in our restraint

And ultimately, for the Christian, wisdom is not merely a principle—it is rooted in a Person. The New Testament tells us that Christ Himself is “the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24), and “in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

To grow in wisdom, then, is to grow in alignment with Him.

And that kind of wisdom is never rushed.
Wisdom From the Word Day 9

January 9th, 2026

Proverbs 9 — When Wisdom Speaks for Herself

There comes a point in parenting when you stop narrating every decision for your child.

You’ve warned them.

You’ve taught them.

You’ve repeated yourself more times than you can count.

And eventually… you step back.

That’s what Proverbs 9 feels like.

For eight chapters, Proverbs has largely been framed as a father speaking to his son. My son… listen… keep… do not turn aside. It is pastoral, repetitive, and protective by design. This is covenantal instruction — wisdom being formed, not merely transferred. But in Proverbs 9, the voice shifts. The father recedes, and Wisdom herself takes the floor.

This isn’t subtle. It’s intentional.

Literarily, Proverbs 9 functions as a culmination and a hinge. Everything before it has been preparing the reader for this moment, and everything after it (beginning in chapter 10) shifts into short, distilled sayings. The long-form instruction gives way to choice. Formation gives way to responsibility.

Wisdom doesn’t whisper. She doesn’t hide in the private spaces. She builds a house — described as having seven pillars, a number that consistently communicates completeness and stability in Scripture. She prepares a feast. She sends out messengers. She calls from the highest places where her voice cannot be missed.

“Come,” she says.

Not after you clean yourself up.

Not after you mature a little more.

Just — come.

And what strikes me is this: by now, the reader is no longer being taught how to recognize wisdom. We are expected to already know her voice. The instruction has been sufficient. The warnings have been clear. Now comes the moment of response.

This mirrors spiritual maturity.

Early faith often leans heavily on borrowed voices — parents, pastors, teachers. And those voices matter deeply. God uses them. But eventually, wisdom must be encountered directly. The question becomes not what have you been taught, but who will you listen to when competing voices call?

Proverbs 9 makes that confrontation unavoidable by placing Wisdom and Folly side by side.

Folly is not subtle either. She is loud. She is seductive. But she is also empty. She does not build; she sits. She does not prepare; she steals. What she offers feels exciting precisely because it costs nothing up front. Stolen water. Secret bread. Hidden consequences.

And Scripture tells us plainly — her guests do not know that the dead are there.

Both women call to the same audience:

the simple,

the uncommitted,

the still-forming.

Wisdom offers life. Folly offers death. And neither disguises the nature of their invitation.

Then we arrive at the theological center of the chapter:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

This verse anchors the entire book. Wisdom is not intellectual achievement. It is not moral intuition. It begins with right orientation toward God. The fear of the Lord is reverent submission — recognizing God as holy, authoritative, and good. Wisdom does not originate in us. It is received through humility.

This is why Proverbs cannot be reduced to self-help. Detached from the fear of the Lord, its sayings lose their foundation. What remains may sound practical, but it will not lead to life.

And this brings me back to motherhood.

As mothers, we spend years shaping hearts and habits. We explain. We warn. We model. We correct. We hope that what we’ve poured in will one day stand on its own when we are no longer present to narrate the moment.

Proverbs 9 feels like that moment.

The father has spoken. Wisdom now speaks for herself. And the reader must choose.

So today, I’m asking myself the same question I’ve asked my children in a hundred different ways:

Who are you listening to?

Because wisdom is still calling.

She still stands in the open.

She still offers life.

The question isn’t whether she’s speaking.

It’s whether we recognize her voice —

and whether we’re willing to follow it when no one else is telling us what to do.
Wisdom from the Word Day 8

January 8th, 2026

Day 8
Proverbs 8 — Wisdom and the Voice We Choose

In Proverbs 8, wisdom speaks — not quietly, not privately, but out in the open. She calls from the places where decisions are actually made, inviting anyone willing to listen.

That alone is striking. Wisdom isn’t hidden or reserved for the elite. She is accessible.

As the chapter unfolds, we’re told that wisdom was present as the world was formed — as boundaries were set and order was brought from chaos. The picture is clear: the world God created is not random. It was shaped with intention, and wisdom is woven into the fabric of creation itself.

Proverbs consistently speaks of wisdom as “she,” which can feel unfamiliar at first. But within the book, this imagery makes sense. In Hebrew, the word for wisdom is grammatically feminine, and Proverbs personifies wisdom as a woman who invites, teaches, and leads toward life.

Later in the book, we meet another voice — the lady of folly — who also calls, also invites, and also promises something good. But her path leads somewhere very different.

Two voices.
Two invitations.
Two paths.

The contrast is intentional. This isn’t about gender; it’s about discernment. Which voice will we trust? Which invitation will we accept?

Proverbs never presents wisdom as separate from the Lord. It flows from Him, reflects His order, and leads toward life because God Himself is the source of life.

And as Scripture unfolds, we’re given even greater clarity. In the New Testament, Christ is revealed as the fulfillment of God’s wisdom — the one through whom all things were made and in whom the fullness of God’s purpose is made known (John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:15–17). Paul tells us plainly that Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).

What Proverbs gives us in poetic form, the gospel reveals in full.

Wisdom leads to life because God leads to life. To reject it isn’t neutrality — it’s choosing a path that harms us. To walk in wisdom is to walk in step with Him.
Wisdom from the Word Day 7

January 7th, 2026

Proverbs 7 feels like a parent standing at the doorway of a world his son is about to walk into, repeating the warning because he knows how convincing temptation can sound.

As a mother myself, I know what that’s like — saying the same important things again and again, hoping our kids will hear our love inside the caution. The chapter returns to adultery as the example, yet I also see a picture of sin in general: appealing, persistent, and often disguised so well that it doesn’t even look like a trap.

The young man in the passage doesn’t go looking for death; he simply wanders near it at dusk. And just like those “older folks” told us when I was a teen, there’s a little truth to the line I laugh and repeat now: “Nothing good ever happens being out after dark.” Darkness conceals things from human eyes. It lowers defenses. It makes foolish choices feel safer than they are.

But Psalm 139 corrects my generational proverb with God’s eternal one.
No roof, no night, no secret ever hides a heart from the Lord. “Night is as bright as day” to Him (Ps 139:11-12). He already knows our paths, our weaknesses, and even the words we’ll speak before they reach our tongue (Ps 139:1-4, 13-16).

So the real issue in Proverbs 7 isn’t the time of day; it’s the posture of the soul. The father calls his son to bind truth to himself early — to keep wisdom close enough that when the voice of the seductress becomes relentless, the voice of God is already louder.

I want that for my children.
I want that for myself.

To live as the one who sees the snare and chooses the lamp instead.
Wisdom from the Word Day 6

January 6th, 2026

Proverbs Chapter 6 — Fleshing it out for My Understanding

Working through Proverbs 6 today, and I’m seeing more clearly that this is still a father speaking to his son — the kind of letter you’d hope every young man would read before he signs a loan, chooses his habits, or guards his heart.

The opening verses about becoming surety for your neighbor (6:1–5) felt confusing to me at first. I wondered if it meant, “Don’t sleep until the debt is paid.” But I think the deeper point is this:

God cares about stewardship. If I promise what I cannot reasonably cover, I may lose the very household the Lord told me to protect. Jesus taught the same spirit when He said to count the cost before you build (Luke 14:28). My kindness must never outrun wisdom.

Then the chapter points to the ant (6:6–11). That little creature preaches louder than any motivational speaker. The warning isn’t just “don’t be lazy”; it’s that sloth steals from the future God prepared for me.

Work was God’s idea first — Adam tended the garden before sin ever entered (Genesis 2:15). Paul echoes it plainly: “If a man will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

I also notice how God describes the worthless man (6:12–15) and the seven things He hates (6:16–19):

haughty eyes, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet quick to run to evil, false witness, and — the climax — one who sows discord among brothers.

And can we just pause and laugh a second? 😂

The internet today yells “6-7!” like it means absolutely nothing, but God used those numbers first. He was the original 6-7 referencer — and He used it to talk about what He despises. That’s a little comical and ironic, and honestly it made me smile at the kitchen table this morning.

The longest section returns to faithfulness in marriage (6:20–35). Culture may joke about pop lists, but God used marriage language before anyone else. Lust toward another person is painted as a trap — darker than theft. A thief can repay, but an adulterer destroys his own soul.

Jesus intensifies this truth in Matthew 5:27–28 — sin begins in the heart before it ever shows in the hands.

There’s a thread connecting all of it:

boundaries in money, diligence in work, truth in speech, and purity in marriage all protect the same sacred thing — the household and the covenant people of God.

I don’t want to be a burden on my community; I want my diligence to bless it. That idea is biblical too — 1 Timothy 5:8 calls us to provide for our own, and Galatians 6:5 reminds each of us to carry our own load so we can freely help bear another’s when real need comes.

Takeaways in My Heart

Gazelles escape snares → so should I when promises are foolish. Ants plan quietly → faithfulness needs no platform. God hates discord most → unity is sacred. Marriage mirrors covenant → lust is spiritual rebellion.

Lord, help me heed the teaching You gave us and not fall into the trap of sin and evil. Here I am, Lord — teach even my habits to walk upright.
Day 5 Proverbs 5 — The Wisdom of Heeding the Warning

January 5th, 2026

Proverbs 5 is sobering in its honesty.

It does not soften the reality of temptation, nor does it pretend that sin appears ugly on the front end. Instead, Scripture names what we all know to be true but often resist admitting: what is forbidden can be alluring, persuasive, and sweet for a moment. The danger is not that temptation lies to us—but that we listen.

This chapter is a father’s warning to a son, and it is plainly about adultery. The language is not symbolic at first glance. It is direct, practical, and grounded in real-life consequences. The adulterous woman is described as smooth-talking and desirable, but the end of that path is bitterness, loss, and regret. Wisdom is not abstract here; it is painfully concrete.

One of the most striking elements of Proverbs 5 is that regret is given a voice. After the damage is done, the speaker looks back and mourns not just the sin itself, but the refusal to listen when instruction was available. “I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof.” The tragedy is not ignorance—it is rejection of wisdom that was already offered.

What stands out to me is that Scripture does not condemn desire. In fact, Proverbs 5 does the opposite. It celebrates desire rightly ordered. Faithfulness within marriage is described as joyful, intoxicating, and life-giving. The problem is not passion—it is passion detached from covenant. God’s wisdom does not call us away from love or intimacy, but toward a love that is protected, exclusive, and enduring.

Marriage is treated with such gravity here because it is not merely emotional or contractual—it is covenantal. To violate that covenant is to invite destruction, not because God is withholding joy, but because He is guarding it.

Later in Scripture, we will see this covenant language deepen. The marriage relationship becomes a picture used by God to describe His faithfulness to His people and His people’s faithfulness—or unfaithfulness—to Him. Israel’s idolatry is called adultery. The Church is described as the Bride of Christ. But it is important to recognize that Proverbs 5 is not making that theological argument explicitly yet. This is wisdom literature dealing first with obedience in daily life.

Still, the echo is there. Human covenant faithfulness matters because it reflects something greater. The way we treat covenant—with God and with one another—reveals what we believe about trust, loyalty, and love. Faithlessness in marriage and faithlessness in worship are not identical, but they grow from the same root: a refusal to trust God’s design over our own desires.

Proverbs 5 ultimately teaches us that sin promises freedom but delivers regret. Wisdom, on the other hand, may feel restrictive in the moment, but it preserves life, joy, and peace. God’s warnings are not threats; they are acts of mercy. He speaks before the fall, not after, because He loves us.

The question this chapter presses on my heart is not simply, “Will I avoid obvious sin?” but rather, “Will I listen while instruction is still being offered?” Regret speaks loudly in Proverbs 5—but wisdom was speaking first.

Obedience now is a kindness to our future selves. And correction, though uncomfortable, is one of the clearest signs of God’s love.
Wisdom from the Word Day 2 of Proverbs

January 2nd, 2026

Proverbs 2 doesn’t treat wisdom as optional or passive.

It doesn’t say, “If wisdom happens to cross your path…”

It says receive, treasure, incline your ear, cry out, lift your voice, seek, search.

This chapter shows us the intensity with which wisdom must be pursued—with the same intention and consistency as someone mining for silver. Not a casual stroll. Not a once-a-week glance. But digging. Reaching. Returning day after day because what’s buried is worth the effort.

And Scripture is honest here:

If wisdom is not actively sought, something else will fill the gap.

The absence of wisdom doesn’t leave us neutral—it leaves us vulnerable. Vulnerable to crooked paths, distorted desires, and voices that sound convincing but lead us away from life.

Proverbs 2 also shows us something tender and reassuring: wisdom protects before it corrects.

When we seek it, wisdom guards our steps, sharpens our discernment, and keeps us from paths we don’t yet recognize as dangerous. It doesn’t just tell us what’s right—it keeps us from falling into what would cost us peace, integrity, and joy.

And here’s the promise woven through the whole chapter:

When we seek wisdom earnestly, the Lord gives it.

Not reluctantly. Not sparingly.

He delights to give understanding to those who ask—and He uses it to preserve, guide, and anchor them.

Wisdom is not merely knowledge.

It is protection.

It is clarity.

It is a kindness from God for those who are willing to dig.
Free (Actually) Printable Daily Bible Study Companion PDF

July 15th, 2025
📖 Why I Created This Bible Study Companion Guide
— A Resource to Help You Know and Love God Through His Word

There’s a quiet joy that comes from sitting with an open Bible, heart ready, pen in hand—seeking not just knowledge, but God Himself. For years, I’ve have strived to study the Bible more deeply and faithfully, to see not just verses, but truth—God’s character, His promises, His purposes for the world and for me.

But let’s be honest: studying the Bible can feel overwhelming. Where do I begin? How do I know I’m interpreting this correctly? What does this actually mean? And how does it apply to my life?

These are the questions I’ve asked countless times. And they’re exactly why I created this printable Bible Study Companion Guide—a simple, clear set of questions and reminders that I’ve personally found helpful every time I open Scripture.

After reading two books that have deeply impacted the way I approach the Bible—
- Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin, which offers a clear, accessible method rooted in knowing God first,
- And 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible by Robert Plummer, a seminary-level book I first encountered during my theological studies—
—I found myself wanting something concise and practical that I could return to regularly. Not just for me, but for my kids, and a few friends who had also expressed a desire to study Scripture with more confidence and depth.

I asked ChatGPT to help me take the heart and wisdom of these two resources and distill them into a brief guide—something printable, simple, and rooted in sound interpretation principles.

💡 Why This Guide Matters

Every passage of Scripture is part of a bigger story—and when we understand that story, we begin to see God more clearly. This guide is not a rigid formula but a compass—something to reorient our hearts and minds as we read.

You’ll find thoughtful questions like:
- “What does this reveal about God?”
- “What’s the historical or literary context here?”
- “How does this passage fit into the big picture of the Bible?”
By asking these questions, we begin to slow down. We move beyond quick devotionals or isolated verses, and we step into real study. We let the Word shape us, instead of shaping it to fit us.

📄 What’s Inside the PDF

The guide is designed to be printable, shareable, and easy to use—perfect for individuals, families, and small groups. Whether you’re a seminary grad or just starting out, this tool can meet you where you are.

Inside, you’ll find:
- Core principles to keep in mind before you begin
- Key interpretive questions for every passage
- Practical study reminders to avoid common mistakes
- A short closing prayer to center your heart on God
It’s the kind of tool you can use every time you open your Bible—and one I hope my own kids will carry with them for years to come.

🤝 A Gift

I created this because I needed it. I still need it. And I wanted to share it because the Word of God is for all of us—not just pastors, not just scholars, but every single follower of Jesus.

If it helps you or someone you love see God more clearly, love Him more deeply, and obey Him more joyfully, then it’s done its job.

So feel free to print it. Share it. Use it with your small group, your kids, your journal, your church. Let it serve you the way it’s served me.

May we be people who study the Word not to master it, but to be mastered by the God who speaks through it.

Bible Study Companion Download

Tag: education

💡 Why This Guide Matters

📄 What’s Inside the PDF

🤝 A Gift